When Real Madrid seems out of the game, they find a way to come from behind and win. That's exactly what happened in their Champions League group game against Borussia Dortmund at Santiago Bernabéu in the Spanish capital. In a rematch of last year's Champions League, Borussia Dortmund took a 2-0 lead over the 15-time champions only to concede five goals.
In the first half, Real Madrid was overwhelmed. Borussia Dortmund scored twice in four minutes courtesy of Donyell Malen and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. Los Blancos were getting pushed all over the pitch, unable to find ways to score, and being outplayed. In the second half, Real Madrid would score twice in two minutes to level the game, and the tables had turned. Real Madrid went on a scoring rampage, and Borussia Dortmund had zero answers, leading to their humiliating defeat.
Vinícius Júnior's hat trick was his first ever in Champions League play. The 24-year-old Brazilian forward was Real Madrid's top scorer(24) last season, and in his last 35 starts, Viní Jr. has been involved in 35 goals, scoring 20 and providing 15 assists. Viní Jr. is one of the 30 nominees for the 2024 Ballon d'Or.
Antonio Rüdiger and Lucas Vázquez provided the other two goals for Real Madrid. Rüdiger via a header to put Los Blancos on the board. Less than two minutes later, Viní Jr. equalized. Vázquez put Real Madrid ahead 3-2 in the 83rd minute before Viní Jr. added two more.
Kylian Mbappé was heavily marked in this game, and while it wasn't his best game, he assisted in the goal that put Real Madrid on the scoreboard. Jude Bellingham was denied twice in the match, once by the Borussia Dortmund goalie and the other by the crossbar.
Resiliency is how Real Madrid overcame a two-goal deficit and scored five unanswered goals. Although Los Blancos missed scoring chances early in the game, they could score at the game's crucial moments. They took the lead with less than ten minutes and scored a few more goals to put the game away.
Real Madrid's defensive issues can't be overlooked. Still, late in the game, when Borussia Dortmund had a chance to regain the lead, Real Madrid's defense thwarted a scoring threat from the opposition by clearing the ball after goalie Thibaut Courtois made a save. Courtois made five saves in this game with 14 clearances by the defense. Despite the struggles, Real Madrid showed some defensive resiliency.
On Saturday, Real Madrid will play Barcelona in a traditional Spanish El Clásico. Barcelona is on top of the La Liga table, with Real Madrid trailing by three points. El Clásico is one of the two La Liga matches that Real Madrid will play before they take on AC Milan in their next Champions League group game.
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